Some real journalists also get 'envelopes'

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Today, the word amplop (envelope) in Indonesia also implies a bribe.

It is public knowledge that some journalists ask for or would not refuse cash or presents from news sources. Such press people are called amplop journalists.

The cash or gifts come from either politicians, businessmen or government officials who expect the press to boost their popularity, attack their opponents or cancel the publication of negative reports about them, They may directly bribe the journalists or indirectly via public relations consultants and senior journalists.

"It is part of a corrupt system involving numerous parties," said Wisnu, a mid-career business reporter from Bisnis Indonesia newspaper.

Wisnu said the practice of giving "envelopes" to journalists was not only done by local firms and state enterprises, but also by foreign companies, which have been operating in Indonesia for decades.

According to Wisnu, the envelope is usually given to journalists during a press conference. It is included in the press kit containing press releases and data.

Sometimes, news sources or their assistants ask to meet journalists at certain places (hotels, offices, cafes), where they will ask the journalists to stop publishing negative reports about them or cancel plans to write such stories. In return, they will provide the reporters with envelopes.

Suhartono, a senior business journalist with daily Kompas, recalls how he was twice approached by tax officials who asked him to stop writing negative reports about the agency in the nation's largest newspaper, while offering envelopes.

"They offered me the amplop, saying that it was a token of 'friendship'. I rejected it, but they came again," said Suhartono, adding that such a practice was common in the finance ministry and agencies.

By their account, neither Suhartono nor Wisnu have ever accepted an amplop, as they always seek to maintain integrity amid rampant corruption in society. Indonesia is the world's sixth most corrupt country, according to the Berlin-based Transparency International.

The two reporters acknowledged that some journalists were unable to refuse an envelope from news sources and even expected it to supplement their low salaries.

Public relations (PR) consultants can also be blamed for the flourishing practice of amplop giving.

They often offer cash or presents to attract journalists to attend events or write good stories for their clients.

"Almost all PR consultants do this. They are doing it on behalf of their clients with the aim of gaining maximum coverage by the media," said a former public relations officer who refused to be named.

The former officer, who worked in the PR business for about 10 years, said it was difficult to avoid as most journalists would not come to an event held by a PR company for its client unless they were assured that they would receive payment.

"It is a business matter. If you are idealistic and don't provide bribes, journalists won't come to your event. If that happens, your clients will move to your competitors, which are willing to provide envelopes," said the consultant.